California Met Solar Power Milestone in March

For about three hours on March 11, California met its goal to produce roughly half the state’s electricity from renewable sources, according to a new estimate from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

The DOE’s statistics division used data from the California Independent System Operator, which manages the electricity grid across 80 percent of California and part of Nevada. The milestone was met when almost 40 percent of the electricity flowing across the grid came from large-scale solar power plants. Take into account electricity produced by California homes and businesses, and solar power met about half the overall midday electricity demand.

California aims to have 50 percent of all electricity come from renewable sources by 2030. And according to the California Energy Commission, the Golden State is ahead of schedule to meet Renewable Portfolio Standards requirements for 2017.